Esports and Education: A look at the game-changing investment in British Esports

The British Esports Association (BEA) – the national body for esports – has announced it will open a performance and education campus at Riverside Sunderland, which will nurture and support the next generation of talent, as interest and engagement in esports grows in the UK. Sunderland is set to become the UK trailblazer in esports- one of the fastest-growing industries in the world – following a multi-million-pound deal.

BEA has made a multi-million commitment to Sunderland, having acquired a former retail premises adjacent to the Stadium of Light, where it will establish its National Esports Performance Campus (NEPC).

The NEPC is set to become a centre of excellence, providing access to state-of-the-art equipment, training and investment that will support Sunderland, the North East and the UK to become a globally-recognised esports hub capable of attracting and developing the world’s best esports talent.

Los Angeles, USA – August 4: — during the 2019 League of Legends Championship Series Week 9 at the LCS Arena on August 4, 2019 in Los Angeles, California, USA. (Photo by Paul de Leon/Riot Games)

The NEPC is also set to deliver educational and coaching courses for players and all other roles within the esports industry. The campus will have dedicated esports classrooms, performance rooms, streaming booths for shout-caster skills and an arena space.

Already a phenomenon in several territories around the world, with one in three people globally playing video games and over half a billion fans, esports is set to explode in popularity in the UK with both the Olympics and Commonwealth Games considering the inclusion of esports in future competitions.

For esports enthusiasts all over the world, this is a significant step in bridging the numerous gaps that exist in the industry. For ardent followers, this development is much welcome and stirs up hope for an industry that is propped up to distinguish itself as a cultural phenom.